Note: The following is only meant to explain the typical use of each type of medical dressing. Always consult a physician when treating any type of serious or chronic wound, or any wound that you are unsure about.

Composite dressings can be used on anything from light to heavy wounds. Use extra caution fi the patient has dehydrated or sensitive skin. Consult with the manufacturer to make sure that the dressing can be used on infected wounds. The skin around the wound must be intact if the dressing has an adhesive border. Check your insurance company's guidelines about reimbursement for composite dressings used as secondary dressing with impregnated gauze or hydrogel.
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Compression dressings are used to control swelling and promote circulation. Particularly useful for diabetic patients and people with poor circulation.
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When are enzymatic debriders used?

Enzymatic debriders are used for wounds that have necrotic(dead) tissue that won't easily slough off. Depending on the size of the wound, you may want to have a secondary dressing to catch excess drainage.
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Hydrocolloid dressings can be used for light to moderate acute and chronic wounds. If monitoring the wound is important, make sure that the dressing is transparent. Do not use a hydrocolloid if the skin surrounding the wound is infected.
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Hydrogels are used for burns(including those caused by radiation) skins tears, surgical wounds, and pressure ulcers. Because of the high water content in hydrogels, this type of dressing is used for wounds with small to moderate amounts of drainage.
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Silicone gel sheeting prevents the formation of excessive scar tissue, sometimes called keloids. Silicone gel sheeting does this by preventing moisture from entering the scar area. If the moisture at the scar area is reduced, then there is less blood flow, and
consequently less collagen, at the scar area. This reduction in collagen is important because collagen is the material that makes up scar tissue. By reducing collagen at the scar area, the scar becomes paler and less apparent.